A&E
Step Afrika! thrills audience in night of interactive fun
By Kyandreia Jones ’19
March 3, 2016
Tags a+e
This past Saturday, Step Afrika! performers wowed audience members with breathtaking visual effects, memorable personalities and incredible choreography.
The event, held in Wellin Hall, introduced stepping to Hamilton students, faculty and Clinton residents. Step Afrika describes stepping as “based on a long and rich tradition in African-based communities that use movement, words and sounds to communicate allegiance to a group.”
The performance, both entertaining and didactic, kept members of the audience mesmerized. Incorporating skits, stories and mayhem into step routines, onlookers could not help but cling to every chant, beat and song. After showcasing their talents, three of the men and women of Step Afrika! engaged in a stepping battle. Artis J. Olds hosted the battle between the men (Joe Murchison, Jordan Spry and Reginald Barrington) and women (Brittny Smith, Danielle Dubois Glover and Mfoniso Akpan.)
Olds asked the audience to choose winners through claps, hollers and cheers. With sass, splits and beautiful smiles, the women won the first round. However, the men redeemed themselves during the second round and out-stepped their female counterparts by adding flips, splits and charisma to their steps.
Audience participation was integral to Step Afrika!’s performance. The Step Afrika! crew encouraged audience members to take part in the fun by whistling, stomping or clapping along. At one point, select members of the audience were given the opportunity to learn simple steps on stage with the performers. Olds lead these 10 lucky spectators as they attempted to execute the routine. The most amazing part of seeing familiar faces on stage was the fact that towards the end of the lesson, Olds stepped aside. From stage right, Olds called out commands to the volunteers. Not only did these brave souls go on stage and “try something new” (as Olds aptly phrased it), they performed the routine to the best of their abilities.
This element of participation left the crowd constantly entertained. Rather than become passive observers, audience members were teased and included in every skit, story and routine, becoming as much as part of the experience as the performers themselves.
At one point, Murchison introduced a game, consisting of his yelling “okay” and the crowd responding “alright.” To amp up the process, he requested the audience say “okay” each time Murchison said “alright.” To the audience’s credit, they were with Murchison up until he complicated the game. When he asked, “Alright Alright?” they cheered, “Okay Okay!” But yet, as he continued, he chanted “Alright Okay Alright?” prompting the audience to lose their place. As the chorus of mumbled and uncertain responses riddled the crowd, Murchison smiled.
Christopher Brient also joked with the audience while performing a solo. Dressed in a tuxedo, Brient bowed before beginning his self-choreographed routine. Remaining silent, he stretched his arm out to sections of the audience one by one. Each time he stretched his arm out, he bent down with his hand still out. His hand signaled when to clap; when he lowered his outstretched hand, the applause died down. When he lifted his outstretched hand, Wellin erupted in applause.
Realizing the power in his gestures, Brient began to lift and lower his hand with different speeds. The chorus of cheers reflected the crowd’s confusion as he played this game with us. Smiling widely, Brient did this for a while before finally raising both his arms above his head. At this gesture, every section began to holler and applaud.
Although he only spoke when he began to step again, Brient demonstrated his huge personality through his vivid facial expressions. He was able to communicate without words, and while audience members struggled with his unspoken commands, it was never due to a lack of understanding but rather the difficulty of trying to keep up with him.
The relationship performers established with the crowd put the show over the top. The visual effects, like lighting and fog, gave the audience the sense that they were being introduced to a new level of greatness. As the steppers brought out a drum set and props and underwent several costume changes, the 90 minutes seemed to come and go fast. Attendees left Wellin still in high spirits and teeming with energy. Step Afrika! showcased phenomenal performers with breathtaking talents, educational stories and personalities that shine on stage.
Step Afrika! gave the crowd the rare opportunity of stepping into a world of fun,education and music. Most importantly, Step Afrika! taught audience members about a key component of African American life, culture and history.